A farming family have made a public plea for funds to rebuild their farm after losing it to a huge blaze.
The Burkinshaws, who live near Choppington, Northumberland, lost their farm to a “devastating” fire on Saturday (15 December).
Firefighters were called to the blaze at Whinney Hill Farm at 6.15pm on Saturday night to find a barn well alight.
Three larger barns were then caught on fire as the blaze then spread.
Sarah Burkinshaw said she will be “haunted forever” by the images of the blaze.
“As most of you will be aware, we lost our farm last night in a devastating fire,” she said.
“A lifetime of hard work, memories and farm machinery gone in minutes.
“We just got the cattle to safety in time before the fire spread. I am posting to ask for help from people in the agricultural community.
Ms Burkinshaw added: “I appreciate hay, haylage and silage is in short supply this year but if everyone could let me buy a small amount I would be more than grateful.”
A Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “The fire was scaled back through the night and we currently have one appliance in attendance, from Pegswood Fire Station.
“Assessments are being made to ascertain whether to leave the site and make re-inspections, or to maintain a constant presence.
“The scope of the damage is to 20,000 cubic metres of straw and there were also three agricultural vehicles destroyed. No animals were harmed in the fire.”
An investigation into the circumstances around the fire is ongoing.
A GoFundMe page has been created since the incident and has already raised over £3,000.
Faye Scantlebury, the page creator, said: “Please help the Burkinshaws rebuild their farm that's tragically been lost tonight 15/12/18 in a horrendous fire.
“They are a local family that will go out of their way to help others but now its our turn to help them.
“Let's see the community pull together in such a horrible situation.”
The incident follows figures released by NFU Mutual which expose the extent of fire devastation caused by the hot summer and early harvest for UK farmers.
